The answer is: Sacrificed them

Numbers 22:40

In the intriguing tale of Balaam, a fascinating player in the drama is Balak, the king of Moab. He sacrificed cattle and sheep upon arriving at Kiriath-Huzoth, marking a ritualistic gesture intended to earn favor with the divine while simultaneously attempting to protect his territory from Israelite encroachment. This event not only showcases the importance of sacrifices in ancient Israelite and surrounding cultures, which were often seen as key acts of appeasement or worship, but it also highlights the broader theme of how the kingdoms viewed the power of blessing and cursing in their midst.

Balak's actions can be seen as an echo of practices found throughout the ancient Near East, where sacrifices were seen as vital connections to the divine forces. For instance, the Mesopotamians also performed sacrifices to invoke favor or gratitude from their gods. In addition, breads and libations likened our earlier recognition of bread as communion with the deity.

Interestingly, Balaam himself, a kind of prophet the Jews didn't necessarily budge align with, hints at varied perspectives on divinity—with his gifts of prophecy potent yet strained. The tumult of common expectations about influence between pledged deities and earthly kings necessitated a contrast. Balaam’s clash with his own divine commission exemplifies the multilayer reality surrounding choosing ethical integrity over monetary allure—a profound moral dialogue both back then and even today!

In this lens, while omnipotence played a hand, it wasn't easy for the characters involved. Everyone had stakes, much like in any gripping narrative, where loyalties were tested, and promises were weighed against demands of faithfulness, harmony, and deeper responsibility.